Detachment 1, Company F, 131st Aviation Regiment in Savannah was spot-lighted during the BOEING Helicopter Company's Combat Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler. 

More than 100 Georgia Army Guard Soldiers stationed at Hunter Army Airfield arrived at the ceremony aboard Company F CH-47D Chinook helicopters. The Guardsmen and their unit were celebrated for their superb combat performance in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. 

Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia Army Guard commander, and Col. Brent Bracewell, 1st Aviation Group commander, attended the ceremony.

Besides receiving Boeing’s Combat Recognition Pin, the unit presented a 10,000 flying hour award. Corporation officials also recognized Company F’s performance during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts last year, and presented each Soldier with Boeing Rescue certificates and pins. Several soldiers also received the Combat Action Badge, signifying their direct participation in combat actions during their deployment.

Detachment 1, Company F, supported Operation Enduring Freedom from January 2004 to April 2005.  The unit provided direct heavy lift combat helicopter support to the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, 25th Infantry Division and 12th Aviation Brigade.  Company F Soldiers paired up with members from their sister unit based in Birmingham, Ala., to fly more than 7,500 combat hours without the loss of life or aircraft. It’s a feat not achieved by their predecessors or successors. Not only these Soldiers fly assault missions throughout the arid and dusty mountainous regions of Afghanistan, they supported U.S. nation building efforts and humanitarian relief operations, and then were essential in the support of the Afghanistan elections, allowing for the free election of Afghanistan's first president Hamid Karzai.

Upon return to the United States, the unit's soldiers were immediately re-deployed in support of the Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma relief efforts.  During their relief support, these soldiers flew over 100 hours of relief missions rescuing and evacuating over 2500 residents of Louisiana and Mississippi.  The unit's helicopter crews delivered over two million pounds of supplies and materials throughout the disaster area.

Detachment 1, commanded by Maj. Edwin Laster, soon will be re-flagged under 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, but will remain at Hunter Army Airfield.

Also during the ceremony, Sgt. Christine See was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, and 21 Detachment 1 Soldiers were awarded the Army’s Combat Infantry Badge in recognition of their 12 months in war-torn Afghanistan.